Another increase in suspected Scottish drug deaths
There was an increase in suspected drug deaths in Scotland between October and November last year , according to the latest quarterly Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response ( RADAR ) quarterly report from Public Health Scotland ( PHS ). There were 109 suspected drug deaths last November , compared to 89 the previous year and 93 in November 2020 .
However , all other healthcare indicators of harm and service utilisation remained ‘ stable and below expected levels ’, the report says , with Scottish Ambulance Service naloxone incidents between September and November lower than in previous years and drug-related hospital admissions ‘ considerably lower ’. PHS has been publishing quarterly updates in response to the country ’ s ongoing drugrelated deaths crisis , and the
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figures relate to reports by attending police officers rather than official information from death certificates and forensic pathologists .
The predominant picture of drug-related harm is still polydrug use involving benzodiazepines , opioids and stimulants , the document states , with partners ‘ advised to strengthen harm reduction and support measures with particular consideration for those who may have limited contact with health and social care services ’. Although 2021 saw a tiny reduction in Scotland ’ s drug-related death total , the figure had been increasing for a decade before that and the death rate remains by far the highest in Europe . RADAR has also published an alert about the increased availability of a group of high-potency synthetic opioids called nitazenes , which ‘ pose a
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substantial risk of overdose , drug-related hospitalisation and drugrelated death ’. Nitazenes are a new addition to Scotland ’ s drug supply , and have been sold as ‘ oxycodone ’ pills . The RADAR alert encourages professionals to increase naloxone distribution , share harm reduction information and increase awareness around overdoses . ‘ We should make sure people using drugs are aware of substances and products of particular concern ,’ said SDF CEO Dave Liddell . ‘ The need for the provision of drug checking services for people who use drugs is becoming more urgent .’ |
‘ The need for the provision of drug checking services for people who use drugs is becoming more urgent .’ |
DAVE LIDDELL |
www . sdf . org . uk |
Number of people in alcohol treatment up by 10 per cent
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE being treated solely for alcohol issues was almost 85,000 in 2021-22 , up by 10 per cent from the previous year , according to the latest OHID figures . However , the figure is still less than the peak of more than 91,600 in 2013-14 . People being treated for alcohol alone made up 29 per cent of all adults in treatment , second only to those in treatment for opiate use at 49 per cent . The number of people in treatment for opiates fell slightly from 140,863 to 140,558 , and overall there were 289,215 adults in contact with drug and alcohol services in 2021-22 – up from 275,896 the previous year . The number of adults entering treatment was 133,704 , which was relatively unchanged from the previous two years .
The number of people starting treatment for powder cocaine was up by 11 per cent to 21,298 – slightly below 2019-20 ’ s peak figure of 21,396 – while the number entering treatment for crack was at its lowest level since 2015-16 . A sixth of all people entering treatment – and a third of those entering treatment for opiates – reported having a housing problem , while 70 per cent of all adults starting treatment stated that they had a mental health treatment need . There were 3,742 recorded deaths of people in treatment in 2021-22 , although OHID points out that these ‘ might not be alcohol or drug-related ’.
BDP founder Maggie Telfer dies aged 63
THE CEO AND FOUNDER OF BRISTOL DRUGS
PROJECT ( BDP ), Maggie Telfer , has died aged 63 , the charity has announced . Telfer founded the organisation with a group of probation officers in 1986 , in response to the lack of support for people who used drugs in Bristol . She was also instrumental in establishing the first sub-Saharan needle exchange , Kenya ’ s Omari Project , and was awarded the OBE in 2007 .
‘ We are all devastated by the loss of a much-loved colleague ,’ said BDP ’ s chair of trustees , John Long . ‘ She has led the charity from strength to strength , across five decades . Maggie ’ s leadership , compassion and indomitable spirit inspired all around her . Our sadness will be matched by the sorrow of many people and their families whose lives were improved and transformed by her work . The city of Bristol has lost one of its truest champions .’
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